About PopskisPrivateArmy.com
An independent, documentary history of No. 1 Demolition Squadron, Popski’s Private Army. We set out to tell the unit’s story from the records, to say plainly where the evidence is thin, and to keep the names of the men who served in one place.
Why this site exists
PPA was the smallest independent unit in the British Army, and one of the least documented. Most of what is written about it online traces back to a single book, Peniakoff’s own memoir, and the former Friends of PPA website at popski.org is gone. Its roll of the men who served survives only in web archives.
This site brings together the memoirs, the official records and the memories of families, and checks them against each other.
How we source what we publish
We cite the original document wherever one exists, such as an award recommendation, a London Gazette notice or an archive catalogue entry, rather than the website that repeated it. Where a claim rests only on Peniakoff’s memoir or a single later account, we say so. Where sources disagree, we show both versions rather than picking one quietly.
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| Verified | Backed by an official or contemporary record, cited by reference. |
| Needs verification | Rests on a single account, or the sources disagree. Published with that caveat attached. |
| Documented | A transcription of an original document, such as an award recommendation. |
We never give an exact date of death unless the war-grave record, the memorial and the memoir agree.
The Sgt Bill O’Leary MM collection
Most of the wartime photographs on this site come from the family of Sgt William “Bill” O’Leary MM, who served with ‘S’ Patrol from 1943 to 1945. We are grateful to the family for permission to publish them. They remain the family’s property and are credited “Courtesy of The Estate of Sgt Bill O’Leary MM” wherever they appear.
Share a photograph or record
If a relative served with PPA, we would like to hear from you. Photographs, letters, diaries, service records, medals and newsletters of the PPA Association all help fill the gaps.
- Everything shared is credited to you or your family.
- We only need a scan or a photograph. Originals stay with you.
- Tell us anything written on the back of a photograph: names, places and dates are often the most valuable part.
Email info@popskisprivatearmy.com.
Corrections
If you spot an error, please tell us and, if you can, say where the correct information comes from. We check every report against the records and correct the page when the evidence supports it.
Contact
General enquiries, corrections and contributions: info@popskisprivatearmy.com.
See also our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions and Image Credits.